"Anyone can be saved, I don't believe that there is no redemption for Triel, and there is no difference in you stopping me from questioning the halfling or you giving Triel to the spider to be tortured and killed, other then you feel that by saving more people it's less evil, I don't feel that way."

I will be gesturing with the book, some what hard, and watching to see what the halflings reaction is

"I also believe that evil begets evil, killing Triel while defending yourself is justifiable, handing her over to the spider to outright kill her is unacceptable, she is evil yes, and she has done terrible things, but that does not mean that we get to be judge and jury here, she is going back to Caldron for trial for the crimes she has committed, that is what is right here."

"Nowzai I am asking for your help here, put yourself in my shoes, do you have a loved one? Someone you hold more dear then anyone else in the world? I do, my twin sister, do you have a twin? If you don't then you can not possibly understand the connection her and I share. Now imagine that she is kidnapped and taken from you, and that you have searched for the past five years for information on her, and now you have found someone who has seen her, talked to her, knows where she is, and you expect me to allow you to take that lead away from me? I won't, I can't. You have already said you won't let the halfling go free, who also has information that I could use so you have tied my hands here, I am out of options."

Nowzai nods, but still looks frustrated. "I have a sister; not a twin, but I can empathize with your trouble. Your quest to find her is noble, but I cannot let your obsession with it jeopardize the lives of thousands in Cauldron."

"Al'akbar has set me on this path, and I follow it willingly. I do not suggest killing lightly. We do what we do here for the good of the citizens of Cauldron, but that city's "law" is as corrupt as any in the Nine Hells. We are, nay we must be the judge and jury, for we are righteous! What kind of perverted justice do you think she will face there? Torture and painful death are a certainty, assuming some cohort doesn't bribe her way to freedom. It would be a mercy for us to kill her here and now, and gain the remaining wands peacefully."

The halfling does seem to be hiding a smirk, although he frowns a bit when Malcolm thumbs through the book, but doesn't say anything.

Since Malcolm got the delete off, we'll allow the retcon and assume Nowzai's response doesn't happen. The jury will disregard the wizard's outburst.

Hey, I had a good deleted one in there too :) I think you guys are both a out of control! My suggestion was for everyone to calm down, us to leave, recover and come back in full strength, but I quoted Malcom too :D

Sending someone to their death is worse than torture, it's certainly no better than killing her ourselves. Again though, nothing needs to be decided now, and everyone is tired and hurt. Where's the best place to go and recoup? Inn, or all the way back to town?

Nowzai nods, but still looks frustrated. "I have a sister; not a twin, but I can empathize with your trouble. Your quest to find her is noble, but I cannot let your obsession with it jeopardize the lives of thousands in Cauldron."

"Al'akbar has set me on this path, and I follow it willingly. I do not suggest killing lightly. We do what we do here for the good of the citizens of Cauldron, but that city's "law" is as corrupt as any in the Nine Hells. We are, nay we must be the judge and jury, for we are righteous! What kind of perverted justice do you think she will face there? Torture and painful death are a certainty, assuming some cohort doesn't bribe her way to freedom. It would be a mercy for us to kill her here and now, and gain the remaining wands peacefully."

Careful friend, there is a reason no one should be judge, jury, and executioner, and I know you are above that kind of behavior.

Does Triel's full plate have a helm w/ a visor?

I think we've got a lot of options here, and even though no one seems to see it, not all of these goals have to be at odds. If we can find information for Malcolm, then I think we can easily work this out to everyone's satisfaction.

The Inn is less than an hour from here, is it not? Are there objections to returning to it, and resting, so we can discuss this rationally?

I thought anyone could use cure wands? Or was that a house rule? At the very least, Epik, Nowzai and Nemoris can, anyone who has a class that can get spells can use a wand if they know the correct command, which can be gotten with an ID

I still think we should get out of here and rest rather than use resources. I'll snag the wand though and keep it ready to use!

Let's move out, anyone have a problem with staying at the top of the cable car? Good suggestion Magma! I want to check on the horses as well.

I'm sorry i am down half my HP Dalamus is in single digits and Epik is down at least half if not more. If we get attack they will over run us and free the Prisoners. i did not just get my butt kick to give back Triel. Use the Wand now Resting will only gives us 4 HP back. i don't want Epik using his heals to bring us back up to full in the morning.

The spiked door continues to pound for several minutes and then stops around the time you decide to move on.

I assume you will back track?

The party moves outside to the cable car with no problem. There is a hint of a ringing bell like sound off in the distance, but it is difficult to pinpoint with in the vast cavern. The 6 party members and 2 captives stare at the winch and the small cable carriage.

The halfling does seem to be hiding a smirk, although he frowns a bit when Malcolm thumbs through the book, but doesn't say anything.

Sure I did, unless you meant beyond that with your next act. Nothing new here

Malcolm:

You settle down and hush everyone to listen to the bells. It takes a few minutes to listen through the thick of it, you're trying to pinpoint the location, based off the echo and it's frustrating until you catch the rhythm and just barely ... barely ... hear something that isn't bells. It's someone shouting in that barking, yipping tongue the kobolds use to talk to each other, but with an extremely deep voice and with the curt sound of someone used to be listened to, without question. You still can't tell where from, but you get the sense of immediateness in the voice, and realize you're running out of time

1 seat left in the first wave across for Nemoris or Dalamus (Have Epik, Nowzai & Skayven in group 1 and Malcolm, Magma, and Triel in group 2). Who is operating the winch that Dalamus locked last time you were here?

"Nowzai, I don't think putting both prisoners on the cart is wise, unless you want to stay on the beach with us, but then it's a 2 on 2 up above and I don't think those odds favor us if the halfling decides to betray us or Triel wakes up. I think Epik, Dalamus, Nowzai and Skayven or Triel go first, Magma and Nemoris help get the cage across as quickly as possible and then send it back down to us. We have no real time to discuss and argue, we have to move quickly!"

"They're both tied up and/or unconcious. I think we'll be fine if Magma and yourself go with them, if you feel you can't be away from her for more than twenty seconds. You're correct about the need for haste, at any rate."

"I think I am the least injured, I was planning on staying on the beach to make sure everyone is able to depart, I am not concerned with her being out of my sight, even though you are willing to let something else kill her, I don't believe that you have the moxie to do it yourself. Honestly the more we have on the beach the better off I think we will be to hold if things go sideways."

If I remember the map correctly from before, I will position myself on the top of the building that the cage is connected with, I will either ride in the cage or if the need for haste presents itself I will attempt to walk along the rope again to the top.

Hey all, I'm ready to move this forward, but I'm packing/cleaning for a TDY and Holly coming into town so I'm gonna have to take a 2-day break before I can do the next update. Feel free to continue the dialogue

The party finishes arguing when Epik drags Skayven onto the cable car and shuffles Nowzai and Dalamus (after unlocking the winch) in behind him, closing the door. Malcolm climbs on the roof of the winch house and Magma, back to normal size starts cranking the winch while Nemoris looks out the door.

It's slow going, but the stonechilde's tireless strength provides the ability to move the cable car along. Once the group is about halfway up, though, Malcolm & Nemoris notice the door to the north burst open and a river of kobolds flow out, Draconic orders barking about in a deep baritone voice.

Draconic:

"Vanguard, column formation, double time ... now charge! Archers form a line, and take aim at my enemy. Everyone at once, on my order!"

Countless kobolds flow out, red scaled ones with spears and small shields charging forward screaming wordlessly and a host of black-scaled elites all bristling with bows and arrows take up residence in the rocks. Those that aren't in the rocks alternate between aiming a bow and holding up a 4-foot tower shield for the shooter to get cover behind.

One massive kobold, black scaled with green flashes, towering above the others by at least 2 feet strides forward. He wears a green cloak, pinned to his black mail with reptilian skulls. Several humanoid skulls trail from his quiver on a line. He carries a runed recurve bow and grits his teeth as he surveys the land in front of him. His keen eyes catch Malcolm on the roof and the party members in the cable car, he shouts out drawing each syllable long and eerily, "Hyoooomaaaans". He raises his bow and tracks Malcolm, and 14 elites follow his aim alongside him.

For the winch ... Magma is able to move it 10 feet with a DC10 Str check. For each additional person helping him with a successful DC10 Str check, he can move it another 5 feet per check. Three people total can be on each winch. The empty cage will move 15+5 per extra person back down once unloaded up top. Large squares are 10 feet on the map. If you need the grid, I'll add it in.

If it was possible for more than one person to use the crank I would have been helping with that as well, just didn't know who was going and how many were staying (per the 'faster we get people across' bit in my last post). Either way, but I know my guy wouldn't have just been standing there while Magma did all of the work.

I think I can use the CSW wand twice in one round, correct?

I'll heal us up before the hordes get here:
3d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 8, 5) + 3 = 19
Do you want to roll your own heal Magma?